Thursday 16 July 2015

Cricket: The Ashes

Held biannually, the Ashes are hosted by England and Australia on an alternating basis. The Ashes Series for 2015 kicks off today at Lord's, with the five tests being played between July and August. 

The term 'Ashes' was first used after England lost to Australia - for the first time on home soil - at The Oval on 29th August 1882. A day later, the Sporting Times carried a mock obituary of English cricket which concluded that: "The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia". The concept caught the imagination of the sporting public.

The Sporting Times’ mock-obituary that gave birth to the Ashes
The captain of the English side, The Honorable Ivo Bligh, promised to bring the 'Ashes' home the next winter, embracing the term that had created by the newspaper. The original trophy, a small terracotta urn, is said to contain the remnants of the bails from the first series and is currently held in the MCC Museum at Lord’s.
Original cricket 'Ashes Urn' pictured at Lords cricket ground in London
At Alfies we have a wonderful selection of Cricket related items, here's a small pick of what our dealers have on offer...


1950s Cricket bat tie bar, offered by Robinson Antiques

1930s Cricket hat, offered by Nadine Okker

The Cricketers of Vanity Fair, late 19th century, offered by Moe Heidarieh


1950s silk scarf by Jacqmar designed by their in house designer Arnold Lever, highlighting the rules and etiquette of cricket, offered by Tin Tin Collectables



Cricket flannels, 1938, offered by June Victor

Antique hand-stitched cricket ball, offered by Paola & Iaia - The Originals
 

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